Gaya, March 21 – Cutting through the haze of uncertainty, Bihar Panchayati Raj Minister Deepak Prakash declared on Saturday that panchayat elections in the state will adhere to the fixed schedule, with no alterations to the delimitation exercise. This firm stance addresses growing concerns among political circles and local leaders.
The minister was unequivocal: polls for chief and deputy chief posts will mirror past elections under the prevailing mechanism. ‘We are committed to the timeline,’ he asserted during interactions with the media.
A key highlight was his unveiling of a new reservation framework set for implementation in the 2026 panchayat polls. Prakash justified the overhaul by noting the decade-long run of the existing roster. ‘Our goal is equitable representation for every community,’ he said, positioning it as a step toward social justice at the village level.
Prakash’s Gaya tour included a hands-on review of the stalled panchayat office construction in Barsauna, Tankuppa block. Local disputes had halted the project, but he instructed officials to verify documents and accelerate resumption.
From the circuit house podium, he waded into leadership debates, quashing speculation about Nitish Kumar’s successor. ‘Leadership remains with Nitish ji, whose governance has transformed Bihar over 20 years,’ he proclaimed.
Responding to queries on Nitish Kumar skipping Patna’s Eid event, Prakash attributed it to pressing administrative commitments. He urged against politicizing Nishant Kumar’s attendance.
Venturing into national discourse, Prakash pointed to West Bengal’s persistent poll violence, suggesting electoral winds of change could blow there soon.
These pronouncements reinforce the government’s dedication to timely local elections and progressive reforms, fostering a more representative panchayati raj system in Bihar.